Automatic depth correcting device for moored mine



Oct. 21, 1958' v D. QERNEST I 2,856,849

AUTOMATIC DEPTH CORRECTING DEVICE FOR MOORED MINE Filed June 13. 195'! v I s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. DALE S. ERNEST B 1958v D. s. ERNEZST 258 1,849 [1; AUTOMATIC DEPTH CORRECTING DEVICE'FOR MOORE]? MI'N 3 Sheets-sheaf.- -2

Filed June 13, 1957 INVENTOR.

DALE s. ERNEST Get. 21', 1958 D. s. ERNEST AUTOMATIC DEPTH'CORRECTING DEVICE FOR MQORED MINE File d June 15,- 1957 5 sn et -sneei 5 uvmvroa DALE S. ERNEST III'IIIIII'I'IIIIIIIII IIIIIIII II!!! AUTOMATIC DEPTH CORRECTINGDEVICE FOR MOORED MINE Dale S. Ernest, Silver Spring, Md.

Application June 13, 1957 Serial No. 665,617 18 Claims. (Cl. 102- 14) (Granted under Title 35, U. S Code (19.52), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates to a depth adjusting mechanism or device for use with an anchored or moored buoyant body or subfioating device such, for example,

as a moored mine, and more particularly, to a mecha-' nism compensating for changes in depth due to varying tides which alter the mooring depth of the body. The mechanism in accordance with this invention is advantageously adapted to utilize the energy of the wave motion occurring in the ocean or other body of water as a source of power for actuation thereof, thereby obviating the need for storage apparatus to contain energy or fuel necessary ,for conventional forms of mechanisms of this type.

One type of prior art depth compensating mechanism or apparatus incorporates motor-driven cable reeling means which operate from a battery or other equivalent type of stored energy, the motors thereof generally being controlled by hydrostatically operated switches. Other types incorporate motor-driven pumps and hydrostatically controlled valves and switches for altering the buoyancy of the moored body or device to provide the desired depth compensation for tidal effects. Still another known type incorporates a reversibly driven motor which rotates an impeller or propeller screw for driving the moored device or body to the proper depth.

Obviously, all of the foregoing types of apparatus necessarily require a source of stored energy or fuel and are therefore operative for a limited period of time depending upon the life of the energy source or fuel supply, as the case may be. Thus, they become inactive upon exhaustion of their individual power source and fail thereafter to compensate for changes in depth of the moored body or device.

The instant invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art apparatuses by utilizing the energy of wave motion acting on the moored body or device to provide the power to accomplish the depth compensation function and may include a cable reel or chain and sprocket arrangement driven by a self-locking worm and worm wheel in a mechanism which is adapted for attachment to a mine or other device to be moored. Of course,

there is provided a 'sufficient length of cable or chain to accommodate the expected changes in depth.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a depth adjusting mechanism for a moored buoyant body or device which is effective to compensate for effects of tides and employs instrumentalities deriving their motive power from wave motion energy applied thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a depth compensating mechanism or device including a self-locking worm and worm wheel connected to and controlled by means operative in response to wave motion forces applied to such means to accomplish depth atent Afurther object is to provide a mechanism which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art devices of a character incorporating a stored source of energy or fuel for accomplishing depth compensation of a moored device while still performing all the desirable functions accomplished by said prior art type devices.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a relatively simple depth compensating mechanism operative in response to wave motion to effect compensation for changes in depth because of tides and which is positive in its operation and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view, in elevation, of one side of apreferred embodiment of a depth compensating mechanism or device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, in elevation, of the side of the mechanism opposite to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view, in section, of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 55 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view of Fig. 5 showing the ratchet arrangement in greater detail.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a fragmentary portion of a buoyant body or subfloating device, generally designated by numeral 11, the body or device being of the type adapted to be anchored or moored.

' Body 11 has attached thereto a depth compensating or adjusting mechanism, generally indicated by numeral 12, the mechanism including a frame or support 13 for effecting the attachment. Mounted in the frame or support 13 is a shaft or axle 14 and journalled thereon is a chain drive sprocket or wheel 15 having teeth meshing with a link chain 16. Chain 16 is trained over sprocket 15 and over a pair of idler sprockets or Wheels 17 and 18, the former being mounted for rotation on frame 13, whereas the latter is mounted for rotation on a rod or bar 20 forming part of yoke means 19 pivotally mounted on shaft 14. The sprockets 15, 17

and 18 are provided with partial casings or plates 21,

2 2 and 23, respectively, for positioning the chain 16 with respect thereto.

Yoke means 19 is comprised of a bar or arm 24 and an arm or lever 25, one on each side of the frame or support 13, the arms being journalled on shaft or axle 14 and fixed to the rod or bar 20, better understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 3. Connected to bar 20 is one end of a spring 26, the other end being suitably connected to body 11, whereby the spring serves to urge yoke means 19 about its pivot to a normal or retracted position as shown in Fig. 1. Arm or lever 25 differs from arm 24 in that arm 25 has an extension 27; see Fig. 3.

Disposed adjacent sprocket 15, and fixed thereto for rotation therewith, is a worm wheel 28. Worm wheel 28 is engaged by a worm 29 fixed to a worm shaft 31, the latter being suitably journalled internally of the frame or support 13. The worm and worm wheel are so fashioned as to be self-locking, i. e., the thread of the worm and the teeth of the worm wheel are so pitched that rotative force imparted to the worm wheel is not sufficiently transmitted to the worm and worm shaft to rotate them.

Worm shaft 31 has an end portion 32 extending beyond theframe or support 13 adjacent idler sprocket 17; and,

mounted upon said end portion 32, in fixed relation thereto for rotation therewith, are a pair of ratchet wheels 33, 34, the ratchet wheels being held .thereon by means of lock nut and washer means 35. Ratchet wheels 33 and 34 are formed with teeth in the conventional. manner but the. teeth of the respective wheels are oppositely directed for reasons which will hereinafter become clear.

Journalled on the aforesaid end portion 32 of shaft 31, for relative rotation with respect thereto, is a rocker arm or lever 36. Secured to arm 36 is a pivot pin 37 having pivoted thereon a pair of pawls or dogs 38, 39, which pawls are adapted to engage ratchet wheels 33 and 34, respectively. The pawls or dogs 38, 39 are normally biased, in a conventional manner, as by springs (not shown)'or the like, to positions where they are disengaged or retracted from their respective ratchet wheels.

For the purpose of selectively engaging the pawls with their respective ratchet wheels, depth sensing means may be provided on arm 36, the means being operatively connected to the pawls. Such means may take the form of a water-pressure-actuated device 41 similar to the bellows-operated device shown in U. S. Patent 952,452, issued March 22, 1910 to K. 0. Leon. Alternatively, the diaphragm system shown in U. S. Patent 2,082,849 issued June 8, 1937 to D. Rudmann could be employed. The device 41 is suitably mounted on the arm and connected, as by a pin and slot arrangement 42, or the like, to a swinging control lever or bar 43, the lever being suitably mounted on pivot pin 37 for oscillation or swinging about the axis thereof.

Pawl 38 is provided with a projection or pin 44 and pawl 39 has thereon a projection or pin 45, said projections extendingfrom the respective pawls into the path of swinging movement of lever 43, for engagement thereby to move one or the other of the pawls into engagement with its respective ratchet wheel.

As will be understood, the device 41 should be of the type that is adapted toassume an intermediate position of actuation when operating at a predetermined depth of submergence and to be actuated in one direction or the other as the hydrostatic pressure due to change in depth increases or decreases. The parts are so arranged that when the device 41 is in its intermediate position of actuation, and the pawls or dogs 38, 39 are in their normally biased retracted positions, the lever or bar 43 is out of engagement with pins or projections 44, 45. However, actuation of device 41 away from the intermediate position thereof, in response to change in pressure due to change in depth, will cause lever or bar 43 to be swung and engage one of the pins 44, 45 and move the respective pawl into engagement with its ratchet wheel.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that with one or the other of pawls 38, 39 engaged, rocking of arm 36 will rotate or drive worm 29, the direction of rotation depending, of course, upon which of the pawls is engaged.

Interconnecting arm 36 and extension 27 of arm 25 is a stiff link 46, one end of the link being connected to the extension 27 by means having universal movement, such as a ball and socket or like type joint 47, the other end of link 46 being similarly connected by a universal joint, as at 48, to arm 36. Pivoting or oscillation of arms 24, 25 and extension 27 is thus transmitted to arm 36 for rocking thereof. Arms 24, 25 and extension 27 are pivoted or oscillated as a result of an up and down movement imparted to the buoyant body or subfloating device by wave motion occurring in the body of water in which the device is moored.

Fora better understanding of the mechanism or device of this invention and its function, the operation thereof will now be described.

Assume that the buoyant body, with mechanism attached, has been moored in a body. of water at a predetermined depth of submergence, the end of that portion of chain. 16 passing over idler sprocket 18. being. connected to a suitable mooring anchor (not shown) by means of a mooring line such as a cable (not shown) or the like. The pressure sensing means or device 41 should be of the type that is actuated to the intermediate position thereof when at said predetermined depth. In such position of the device 41, lever 43 isin its. central position and pawls 38, 39 are retracted to positions out of engagement with their respective ratchet wheels 33, 34.

With the buoyant body moored, wave motion occurring in the body of water will impart to the buoyant body, and to the mechanism attached thereto, an up and down movement. This up and down movement will cause the mooring line to alternately become taut and slack, tautening of the line serving to stretch the spring 26, the stretched. spring, in turn, taking up the slackened line. These actions of the mooring line and spring cause yoke means 19 and extension 27 thereof to pivot or oscillate, and, through link 46, cause arm 36 to rock. Of course, so long as pawls 38, 39 are retracted out of engagement with their respective ratchet wheels, rocking of arm 36 does not effectuate any rotation of worm 29.

However, should there be a change in depth because of tidal effects, the device 41 would respond to the attendant change in hydrostatic pressure and be actuated to a position away from its intermediate or normal position. Such actuation would be effective to swing lever or bar 43 and engage one of the pawls 38, 39 with its respective ratchet wheel; rocking movement of the arm 36 would then effectuate incremental rotation of worm 2 9 anddrive worm wheel 28 to rotate sprocket 15 and move the chain 16. Incremental rotation of worm 29 continues until a sufficient amount of chain is moved and the buoyant body has been restored to the predetermined depth of submergence and the device 41 has beenactuated to its intermediate position. With the device 41 in its intermediate position, lever 43 assumes its central or normal position and the engaged pawl retracts. the worm and worm Wheel are self-locking, the parts remain in this condition until a change in tide etfectsa change in depth and hydrostatic pressure which 'actuates the device 41 for engagement of the proper pawl and return of the buoyant body to proper depth.

Turning now to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there is shown therein another form of the present invention, generally designated by numeral 51, and comprising a frame or support 52.

Supported for sliding movement within the frame or support 52 is a carrier or carriage 53 in which a cable drum 54 is rotatably mounted, the carriage being resiliently supported by a coil spring 55, as will be understood by refercnce to Figs. 4 and 5.

Secured to the cable drum 54, and rotatable therewith,

is a worm wheel 56, the worm wheel meshing, in selflocking relation, as hereinbefore described, with a worm 57. The worm is fixed to a shaft 58 which is journalled for rotation in the carrier or carriage 53 and has an end portion 59 extending therebeyond and through an elongated slot60 in the frame or support 52.

Rotatably mounted upon the end portion 59 of shaft 58, externally of the frame or support 52, is a rocker arm or lever 61 which is provided with an elongated slot 62 adapted to receive a pin 63 therein, the pin being fixed to the frame or support 52 for reasons later made clear. The arm or lever 61 is spaced from frame or support 52 by a washer or spacer 64. Secured to the arm or lever g; igga pivot pin 37 which carries a pair of pawls or dogs The pawls or dogs 38,39 are adapted to be engaged with ratchet wheels 33, 34 respectively, fixed to end portion 59 of shaft 58 for rotation therewith, in a conventional manner as understood by those skilled in the art. The pawls or dogs 38, 39 are normally retracted or biased out of engagement with their respective ratchet Wheels and eachpawl is selectively engaged with itsrespective ratchet wheel by means of a depth sensing device mounted on arm 61 and connected by a pin and slot arrange- Since.

ment, to a control lever or bar engageable with a pin or projection on the pawl, as hereinbefore described in connection'with the description of Figs. 1 to 3 as to the function of elements 4145.

The cable drum 54 is adapted to have wound thereon a cable 65 which passes through suitable openings 66, 67 formed in carriage 53 and frame 52 respectively, and has onelend secured to the drum and the other attached to an anchor (not shown).

The operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 4-6 is substantially similar to that of Figs. 7 1-3. With the mechanism of Figs. 4-6 secured to a buoyant body moored at a predetermined depth in a body of water by means of cable 65, device 41 will be in its intermediate position and control lever 43 will be in its central position' with pawls 38, 39 retracted from the ratchet wheels. Wave motion occurring in the body of water will impart an up and down movement to the buoyant body and the mechanism secured thereto, which will cause the mooring cable 65 to become taut and slack alternately, tauteningof the cable serving to compress spring 55 and slack in the cable being taken up by expansion of the spring. These actions of the mooring cable and spring cause the carriage 53 to move relative to the frame or support 52 and shaft 58 to move up and down in slot 60. Because of itspin 63 and slot 62 connection with the frame 52, arm 61 is caused to oscillate or rock relative to shaft 58 as the shaft moves up and down. So long as neither of the pawls is engaged, no rotation is imparted to the shaft. However, When there is a change in depth, the device 41 is actuated and one of the pawls engages with its respective ratchet wheel and oscillation of arm 61 then imparts incremental rotation to the shaft 58 and Worth 57 fixed thereto to drive the worm wheel 56 and drum 54 for restoring the buoyant body to proper. depth.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated thatadvantage has been taken of the energy present in Wave'motion occurring in a body of water to power mechanisms so as to compensate for changes in depth result-.

Obviously. many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. ,For example, other suitable self-locking gear mechanisms could be used in place of the worm and worm wheel means of the devices hereinbefore described. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a mechanism of the character disclosed and capable of compensating for changes in Water depth because of tidal effects for maintaining a moored buoyant body generally at a predetermined depth of submergence comprising, in combination, a support frame mounted on said buoyant body, a self-locking Worm and worm wheel cooperating device carried by said support frame, a mooring line, and means operatively connected to said device and said mooring line and responsive to oscillatory movement of said buoyant body resulting from wave motion occurring in tidal water for driving said device and varying the effective length of the mooring line, said means including a rotatable member to which the mooring line is connected, and said member being connected to said device and rotated by driving thereof for varying the effective length of said mooring line to compensate for changes in depth of water.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means comprises selectively engageable means for selectively driving said worm in either direction, and further characterized by means responsive to changes in hydrostatic pressure caused by variations in water depth for selecting the direction of driving of said Worm.

3. The combination of claim 1, further characterized by said. worm having a shaft portion, said means including'a pair of ratchet wheels fixed to said shaft portion, a

rocker arm journalled on said shaft portion, a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on said arm and adapted for selective engagement with said pair of ratchet wheels respectively, and hydrostatically controlled means for selectively engaging said pawls with the respective ratchet wheels.

4. A depth adjusting mechanism for maintaining a buoyant body moored in a body of water generally at a predetermined depth of submergence therein, comprising with respect thereto for rotating said worm and driving in combination, a support attached to said buoyant body, a self-locking worm and worm wheel cooperating device carried by said support, a first means operatively connected to said worm and mounted for relative movement said worm wheel, and a second means responsive to oscillatory movement of said buoyant body resulting from wave motion occurring in said body of water for effecting relative movement of said first means for driving said worm wheel, said second means including a spring and a mooring line and a member connected to the mooring line, said member also being connected to said worm wheel and driven thereby for varying the effective length of said mooring line for depth adjustment of the buoyant body.

5. .The combination of claim 4, characterized by said Worm including a shaft, said first means comprising a rocker arm journalled on said shaft and carrying means selectively engageable with means fixed to said shaft, and said last-named means being actuated by: hydrostatic pressure.

6. A depth adjusting mechanism for a buoyant body moored in a body of water, comprising,'in combination,

a support attached to said buoyant body, a worm wheel rotatably carried. by said support, a member connected to said worm wheel and rotatable therewith, a mooring line connected to said member, a worm rotatably mounted on said support and meshing with said worm wheel,

means carried by said support and relatively movable with respect to said worm in response to oscillatory movement of said buoyant body due to wave motion occurring in the body of water, and means. operatively connecting said first-named means and said worm for effecting incremental rotation of said worm in response to said wave motion; whereby rotation of said worm rotates said worm Wheel and member for automatically varying the effective length of the mooring line and adjusting the depth at which the buoyant body is moored.

7. A depth adjusting mechanism for a moored buoyant body, comprising in combination, a support secured to said body, an axle mounted'on said support, a worm wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, a member fixed.

to said worm wheel and rotatable therewith, a mooring line connected to said member, a worm shaft journalled for rotation in said support, a worm on said worm shaft meshing with said worm wheel, lever means mounted on said axle for oscillating movement thereon, said lever means being operatively connected to said mooring line, and means operatively connecting said lever means and said worm shaft for incremental rotation of said worm in response to oscillating movement of said lever means for rotation of said worm wheel and said member and variation of the effective length of the mooring line.

8. The combination of claim 7, said means operatively connecting said lever means and said worm shaft comprising a ratchet device including an arm journalled on said shaft, and a link interconnecting said arm and said lever means. I

9. The combination of claim 7, said means operatively connecting said lever means and said worm shaft comprising a pair of ratchet Wheels fixed to said shaft, an arm journalled on said shaft and carrying a pair of pawls adapted to engage said pair of ratchet wheels respectively, and means on said arm responsive to hydroa support attached to said buoyant body, a: carrier 1 mountedwithin said support for generally vertical up and down movement, spring means within said support resiliently supporting saidcarrier, a drum mountedwithin said carrier for rotation about a generally horizontal axis,

a'worm' Wheel fixed to saiddrum, a worm having a shaft 'journalled in said carrier, said worm meshing :with said I i 'wormtwheel, said support having a generally vertical elongated slot, said shaft having an: end portion thereof 1 extending beyond said'carrier and through said slot,"a 1

ratchet device operatively connected to said end portion of the shaft and including an arm journalled' thereompin and slot means interconnecting said arm and said support whereby oscillating movement is imparted to said arm with upv and down movement, of said carrier and'the shaft journalled therein and said ratchet deviceoperates: to rotate said worm by increments, and a mooring line: wound about said drum and having a generally vertical portion extending exteriorly' of said; carrier and support her attached to the mooring line and operatively con-j nected to said mechanism for movement thereby upon: 1 actuation thereof for varying the effectivei'length of said linevto compensate forichanges indepth of water.

14. The combination defined in, claim 13, said means I further including selectively engageabl'eimeans for selectively actuating said mechanism? in either of twovdirections and means responsive to changes in water depth for selecting the direction'vof actuation of said mechanism.

:15. The combination defined in claim 13; said mechanism having a shaft portion, said means including a pair of ratchet wheels fixedtosaid shaft portion, a rocker arm journalled on said shaft'portioma pair of ,pawls' pivotally mounted on said arm and adapted for selective engagement withsaid pair of ratchet wheels respectively,

vand means responsive to changes in water depth forselectively engaging said pawls with the respective ratchetwheels. I I

16. In a device of thecharacter disclosed, thecornbination comprising a buoyant body, a mooring line, and

actuablevmeans carried by said body and including a I movable member operatively connected to said mooring 1 line, said means being actuated by oscillatory movement z of said body in responseto wave action occurring in tidal water for 'moving'said member and 'therebyvarying the effective length of the mooring line to compensate for 1 changes :in the depth of the water.

for connection to a mooring anchor, wave motion" in said shaft is moved up and down in response to the Wave mo tion in the body of water and oscillating movement is imparted to the arm forvoperating the ratchet: device to rotate said Worm and vary the effective lengthof the mooring :line.

I 12. The combination; of claim ll said ratchet device 7 including hydrostatically actuated means for selectingthe direction of rotation of said worm.

13. In a device of the character disclosed and capable of' compensating for changes in water depth because of tidal efiects for maintaining a moored buoyant body generally at a predetermined depth of submergence comprising, in combination, a support frame carried by said buoyant body, an actuatable self-locking gear mechanism supported by said frame, a mooring line, and means operatively connected to the mooring line, and said mechanism and responsive to oscillatory movement of said buoyant body due to wave motion occurring in tidal water for actuating said mechanism and varying the eifective length of the line, said means including a movable mem- 17. In a device of the character disclosedflhe combina- 1 1 tion comprising ,a buoyant body; a mooring line, and actuable means interconnecting said line and body for varying the effective, length of the line, said means being responsive to the up and nown movements of said body due to ,wave action inqwater for actuation thereof, said means including: means responsive: to changes in the depth ofthewater for determining the direction offactuavtion of the, first-named means.

7 18; In a deviceof the character; disclosed, the: combination comprising" a buoyant body, a mooring line, and

, actuable means carried by said body and, including a to References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,082,849 Rudmann June 8, 193

FOREIGN PATENTS 471,919 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1937 

